A-B Tech receives national cybersecurity recognition

A-B Tech became the first community college in North Carolina to become certified by the National Security Agency (NSA) for meeting national standards in information assurance education. A-B Tech is also only the fourth institute of higher education in the state to receive the designation.

Lewis Lightner, Networking Technology Department Chair, was presented with the certification by Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Carey, Deputy Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Defense in a ceremony June 11 in Orlando, FL. The ceremony, co-hosted by the NSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was held in conjunction with the 2012 Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education.

The designation followed a rigorous evaluation of the courseware used in A-B Tech’s Information Systems Security degree program to ensure that it meets national training standards set by the Committee on National Security Systems.

Specifically, A-B Tech’s courseware meets the standards for the duties and responsibilities of Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011) and Systems Administrators (CNSSI 4013). A-B Tech, which offers both an Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Systems Security and a CNSS 4011/4013 Certificate, successfully demonstrated that it includes more than 1,000 knowledge- and performance-based elements within the Information Security curriculum area.

“This recognition is not only important for our Information Systems Security program but also for the college and community. A-B Tech is currently the only academic institution west of Charlotte that our federal government partners can count on for cybersecurity training that meets their certification requirements. This also provides additional leverage for economic and workforce development as we encourage federal government contractors to consider the Asheville area for relocation or expansion,” Lightner said.

A-B Tech is now eligible to apply for recognition as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. Lightner said the process is under way and he is hopeful the college will receive the designation in 2013. For information on the Information Systems Security degree or the CNSS 4011/4013 certificate, contact Lightner at 828-398-7808.